Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Sunday, Sept. 6

A nice horse that may be turning into a top grass horse may prove your linchpin for a late pick three (races 7-9) that includes a couple competitive legs in which you may find a price.

Race 7

PROSPECT PARK (#2) flashed big-time ability with a big win and a couple strong graded stakes placings on dirt. However, when he moved to turf here Aug. 9, he won the Grade 3 La Jolla like a budding turf star, beating many of these and doing so with ease. Three smart works since say he’s ready to dominate again. Just in case he should falter, though, SOUL DRIVER (#3) is a must-use as he romped in the Singletary and gamely won the Oceanside. He’ll be coming late.

A’s) 2
B’s) 3
C’s) None

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Race 8

SKIP TONY (#4) was a smart winner on dirt at Santa Anita this spring before a layoff and a couple decent Golden Gate starts, one on turf (fifth) and one on synthetic (second). He’s been freshened, moves back to dirt (he’s 3 for 6 on fast going) and has spent much of his time the past year facing tougher. TOLEDO EDDIE (#6) has been freshened, has worked well, and returns to dirt, which may be his best game as eight of his nine wins have come on dirt. JUST KIDDING (#1) blew the start and had no chance in his first try against winners here Aug. 1. It’s nice to see no drop and no layoff since, as well as Rafael Bejarano staying and four nice works since. GROUND RULES (#10) gamely beat maidens at this trip June 21 at Santa Anita off a layoff but was eased in his first try against winners, which came here July 18. That came on a wet track he might not have liked. He’s worked well since, and it’s nice to see Kent Desormeaux stays and there’s no drop in for a tag. TRIBAL AGAIN (#3) comes here razor sharp from Northern California and may be a timely claim for Peter Miller, who does not risk losing him for a tag here.

A’s) 4, 6
B’s) 1, 3, 10
C’s) None

Race 9

LADY PIMPERNEL (#3) came from England last fall and ran three super races to start her U.S. career. She hasn’t been seen since the winter, but there’s no doubting her quality. She’s fired before off the bench, has worked well, and gets Bejarano. QUEEN OF THE SAND (#8) comes off two bitter defeats, running second June 27 in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine at Santa Anita, beaten a neck, and second in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee here Aug. 8, beaten just a head. She’s proven with this kind and figures to be finishing strongly yet again. ISTANFORD (#7) dueled and paid the price here Aug. 6. There’s not as much speed signed up here, so if she’s able to get clear, she can get awfully brave. CUSTOMER BASE (#1) wasn’t disgraced against the boys in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita on June 28 (fifth). She’s been freshened since, is back in vs. the girls, has worked nicely, and gets blinkers. PRIZE EXHIBIT (#6) posted two big wins over fellow 3-year-olds in June and July before leaving herself with too much to do in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks here Aug. 15 when finishing third. She takes on elders for the first time, but it’s encouraging they opted to take on that challenge after a busy few months. And it’s not as if these elders are monsters, so she can be very scary in the lane.

A’s) 3, 8
B’s) 7
C’s) 1, 6